We are heading to florida at the end of march for spring break. Before making the 2,200 mile round trip I am going to be doing some stuff to the 2004. We are heading to vegas for a friends wedding at the end of the year too and that will be a 5k round trip with all the extra stops. So for piece of mind...

Well it's due for a tune up & fluid change. But I'm assuming your talking about the water pump, etc. Well the idler pulley is making noises, and everything else is original. Since it is 10 years old and has 122k on the hoses, etc. It is all easy to get to so while I'm under there I'm going to change them out before driving across country twice. It is worth my piece of mind doing it. Plus the pinion seal is starting to form a slow leak. That will be the only minor pain in the rear doing it on the ground.

2001 VW Beetle - Actually completed two items on it yesterday which was an oil/filter change and installing a new battery.

2000 Dodge Durango - Hopefully weather will be good enough next weekend that I will change the water pump, lower radiator hose, and by-pass hose. Bearing is shot in the WP. I have all the parts now just need time and cooperating weather.

We are heading to florida at the end of march for spring break. Before making the 2,200 mile round trip I am going to be doing some stuff to the 2004. We are heading to vegas for a friends wedding at the end of the year too and that will be a 5k round trip with all the extra stops. So for piece of mind...

Well it's due for a tune up & fluid change. But I'm assuming your talking about the water pump, etc. Well the idler pulley is making noises, and everything else is original. Since it is 10 years old and has 122k on the hoses, etc. It is all easy to get to so while I'm under there I'm going to change them out before driving across country twice. It is worth my piece of mind doing it. Plus the pinion seal is starting to form a slow leak. That will be the only minor pain in the rear doing it on the ground.

Well given that, sounds like a good plan! I suppose the question would then become what about the alternator (or at least voltage regulator) and battery? Alignment? Brake fluid flush?

We are heading to florida at the end of march for spring break. Before making the 2,200 mile round trip I am going to be doing some stuff to the 2004. We are heading to vegas for a friends wedding at the end of the year too and that will be a 5k round trip with all the extra stops. So for piece of mind...

Well it's due for a tune up & fluid change. But I'm assuming your talking about the water pump, etc. Well the idler pulley is making noises, and everything else is original. Since it is 10 years old and has 122k on the hoses, etc. It is all easy to get to so while I'm under there I'm going to change them out before driving across country twice. It is worth my piece of mind doing it. Plus the pinion seal is starting to form a slow leak. That will be the only minor pain in the rear doing it on the ground.

Well given that, sounds like a good plan! I suppose the question would then become what about the alternator (or at least voltage regulator) and battery? Alignment? Brake fluid flush?

Good luck with the salt and weather complying!

Using the in-laws heated garage! I do the turkey baster method of changing out some brake fluid every oil change. Plus the guy at discount tire gives us a free alignment check every few months during the rotations and balancing. The alternator is just as easy but not as cheap to replace, lol. The cheapest oem alternator is around $200. So I'll just keep my socket set with me on the trip. Easier and less messy to replace than a water pump on the go. I might be a bit over thinking things, but I have never driven this far before going out to vegas so I will probably check and change something else before we go too, lol

I have a lot to do. I'm pretty sure the Accord needs at least one motor mount (whole car shakes while sitting at a stoplight), it's going to need rear brakes soon, needs a brake fluid flush, and needs an oil change.

The Explorer has a bad coolant leak. It's a bad lower intake manifold gasket. I'm trying to limp it along until the weather gets warmer.

The Ranger is almost due for a diff fluid change and a trans pan drop/refill. Will also install a drain plug while I'm at it.

The Bronco needs a full front suspension rebuild (ball joints, tie rods, shocks, etc), rear brakes, a steering box, and lots of other stuff. (It's a project car, after all)

I have a lot to do. I'm pretty sure the Accord needs at least one motor mount (whole car shakes while sitting at a stoplight), it's going to need rear brakes soon, needs a brake fluid flush, and needs an oil change.

The Explorer has a bad coolant leak. It's a bad lower intake manifold gasket. I'm trying to limp it along until the weather gets warmer.

The Ranger is almost due for a diff fluid change and a trans pan drop/refill. Will also install a drain plug while I'm at it.

The Bronco needs a full front suspension rebuild (ball joints, tie rods, shocks, etc), rear brakes, a steering box, and lots of other stuff. (It's a project car, after all)

I also need to do an oil change on the fiancee's Rogue.

Wow, you have fun with all of that!! I love those broncos, I want one as a toy when we get a bigger place.

We are heading to florida at the end of march for spring break. Before making the 2,200 mile round trip I am going to be doing some stuff to the 2004. We are heading to vegas for a friends wedding at the end of the year too and that will be a 5k round trip with all the extra stops. So for piece of mind...

Using the in-laws heated garage! I do the turkey baster method of changing out some brake fluid every oil change. Plus the guy at discount tire gives us a free alignment check every few months during the rotations and balancing. The alternator is just as easy but not as cheap to replace, lol. The cheapest oem alternator is around $200. So I'll just keep my socket set with me on the trip. Easier and less messy to replace than a water pump on the go. I might be a bit over thinking things, but I have never driven this far before going out to vegas so I will probably check and change something else before we go too, lol

Here's an idea: see if you can get a good deal on a car rental.

1) You won't spend as much money on the maintenance you've planned2) You get a more reliable vehicle so less worry3) You could get a more comfortable up to date vehicle4) You will probably get better mpg and save enough gas money to pay for the rental5) You won't incur hidden costs on your vehicle eg tire and suspension wear6) You don't have to increase the mileage allowance on your insurance

If you're going to be putting on a lot of miles in a short amount of time, vehicle rentals with unlimited miles can pay off handsomely.

1) You won't spend as much money on the maintenance you've planned2) You get a more reliable vehicle so less worry3) You could get a more comfortable up to date vehicle4) You will probably get better mpg and save enough gas money to pay for the rental5) You won't incur hidden costs on your vehicle eg tire and suspension wear6) You don't have to increase the mileage allowance on your insurance

If you're going to be putting on a lot of miles in a short amount of time, vehicle rentals with unlimited miles can pay off handsomely.

To be fair wouldn't you have to increase the mileage allowance on your insurance anyway if you're using your own car insurance with the rental? If you use the rental places insurance its far more expensive.

Truck: I should change the oil in the diff's. I'm a bit worried, there has been a noise--but it could be the tires. Waiting for summer.

VW: I should change the coolant hoses, one feels a bit soft. Big long laundry list of stuff I should do, if I plan to keep it. I might have a long trip with it this spring though; if I take it then I ought to fix at least the circumspect hose.

At the next engine oil change, I will drain the conventional oil from the rear differential and put in RP synthetic. I got a good deal at a garage sale.

I changed the oil in the transfer case at the previous oil change.

Cars that belong to friends and family have a longer list:2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser:Lower control armsTie Rod endsFront wheel bearingsrear shocksIt needs a timing belt replacement, but I am not doing that myself.